Tottenham prepare £15m move for Brazil's Paulinho in bid to fend off Roma and Inter

Tottenham are to make a £15million offer for Brazilian midfielder Paulinho to head off competition from Roma and Inter Milan.

The move comes as Fenerbahce revive interest in striker Emmanuel Adebayor which could help free up further funds.

Paulinho, 24, full name Jose Paulo Bezerra Maciel Junior, was expected to sign for one of the Italian sides this week amid talk of a pre-contract agreement.

Highly rated: Paulinho could be on his way to White Hart Lane

However, the Corinthians star is said to prefer a move to the Barclays Premier League.

Tottenham may need to increase their planned bid to land him as his buy-out clause stands at £18m although they have been encouraged that he would be attracted by a move to London.

Speaking in Brazil, deputy director at Corinthians, Duilio Monteiro Alves, said: ‘(Tottenham) is a club that we know who has an interest, but nothing official yet. Of course it will come. We expect it in the coming days.

‘Our intention is to keep him but let’s wait and see; if it’s good for him, good for the Corinthians, we will make a decision.’

Long-term target: Leandro Damiao has long been linked with Tottenham

As revealed in Sportsmail, Atletico Mineiro’s diminutive midfielder Bernard, 20, is also a target and Internacional’s striker Leandro Damiao remains an option while another Brazilian, 18-year-old Botafogo defender Doria, has been discussed.

Paulinho has acknowledged interest from Roma, Inter and Tottenham but says he will not make a decision until after the Confederations Cup.

His arrival at White Hart Lane will trigger departures as Spurs consider offers for Fulham target Tom Huddlestone and 32-year-old Scott Parker, who is wanted at Sunderland but would need to take a pay cut for the deal to go through.

Making way? Tom Huddlestone and Scott Parker could be set to leave Tottenham

Departing? Emmanuel Adebayor could be sold by Spurs

Adebayor is one of the club’s biggest earners and his departure would help other deals materialise.

Fenerbahce have tried for the 29-year-old before while he was at Manchester City and hope to be successful this time after being rebuffed by Benfica’s Oscar Cardozo.